Dwight Howard will rehab his back in L.A. for next 3 weeks

Dwight Howard will spend about the next three weeks in the Los Angeles area to rehabilitate his surgically repaired back and visit his surgeon for check-ups and will not attend Orlando Magic playoff games, both the team and Howard’s surgeon said Tuesday.

“Originally, his plan was, because he wanted to be around, is to go back and forth, but those are long flights back and forth, not particularly good for your back to begin with,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said, responding to questions about Howard’s status.

“Plus, [it’s] costing you a whole lot of time. You guys [in the media] know; you’ve done it. You’re basically wasting a day when you could be rehabbing. I think the agreement on all sides was that he’d be better off just staying out there and getting his rehab with the group that did his surgery and the whole thing.”

Howard’s California-based agent, Dan Fegan, and Howard's manager, Kevin Samples, did not comment. But a statement from Howard's primary surgeon, Robert Watkins Sr., was released early Tuesday night in which Watkins said he advised Howard to remain in California.

"I examined Dwight Howard on Saturday, April 21, 2012 and he showed significant improvement from his preoperative condition that necessitated mandatory spine surgery," Watkins said in the statement. "He was discharged from Marina Del Rey Hospital on Saturday afternoon and will be reexamined this week. I have advised Dwight not to travel and to undergo rehabilitation treatment for the next three weeks in Los Angeles. He has agreed with my recommendation. While it is anticipated that Dwight will not be able to participate in the Olympics, I am very optimistic that he will be able to play next season.”

Still, Howard’s absence could fuel speculation that he is estranged from the franchise and would ask for a trade after the postseason is over.

General Manager Otis Smith said Howard, who is under contract through next season, has not asked for a trade. Smith also said that team officials are fine with Howard rehabbing in Southern California.

Howard was said to be upset that team officials did not publicly defend him after Van Gundy said on April 5 that he knew Howard wanted him fired. Howard also was said to be upset that team officials did not publicly deny a WKMG report that he had called Magic Owner Rich DeVos on April 13 to say he would no longer play for Van Gundy (an allegation that Howard has denied).

Last Friday, Howard underwent surgery in Marina del Rey, Calif., to repair a herniated disk in his lower back and remove disk fragments. He began a walking program the next day.

Van Gundy was asked why Howard couldn’t rehab his back in Orlando.

“First of all, he couldn’t attend the away games,” Van Gundy said. “It’d be the same thing. I think the idea was, number one, he’s already there and had to stay a few days, so that saves him a trip. And, number two, at this stage especially, he has to continue to go back for check-ups, so he couldn’t just stay here [in Orlando]. If he were here rehabbing, then he’d have to fly back out there for his check-ups, so you’re talking about a lot of roundtrips, and I’m sure he’d rather be around.

“But, quite honestly, with him not playing, he can’t help us a whole lot, so he needs to do what’s best for his rehab. And I think everybody here was in agreement with that.”